PELLA, Iowa -- Movie premieres don't usually happen in Iowa. But when an election is around the corner, this state is the center of attention.

It helps that the star of the movie titled "The Undefeated" is former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin.

Signs and people lining the streets of Pella is an unusual sight, so folks knew something was in the air.

Then the star of the evening arrived. Fans reached for their cameras, hoped for a handshake, and supported Palin no matter what the media has to say about her.

"I don't get caught up into all the stupid hype, you know, the bad things they want to say about her," one bystander told CBN News.

"I appreciate her conservative values and she's a Christian," said Dick Strange, an Iowa voter.

The film portrays Palin as a tough-as-nails governor who faces constant criticism. She was not involved with the production of the film. The director, Stephen Bannon, is simply a big fan.

"It was the pop culture, just vulgarity and violence against this woman that was just incredible. (There were) paintings of her being crucified, paintings of her with her face ripped off, paintings of her with just all forms of physical violence," Bannon told CBN News.

After the event, Palin mingled at a cookout with the local townsfolk and also got up close and personal with her fans.

"I never thought you'd pick Pella," one young boy said when he met her.

"Oh my goodness. We're so glad to be in Pella," Palin replied.

"Of all the places you could have gone!" the boy told her.

"Well, we're just so happy to be here and it's wonderful to get to meet you here," she said.

"Thank you for coming and talking. God bless you," the boy said.

"God bless you," Palin replied as she hugged the boy.

Besides her fans, the media also mobbed Palin with questions. CBN News managed to get a question or two in as she stopped to talk to us.

"Should all of your critics see this movie?" CBN News asked.

"I think everybody needs to see this movie who are tired of what the media can do to a person's record and reputation in an attempt to destroy someone's reputation," she responded.

So will she put that reputation on the line again in 2012? Just her appearance in Iowa during campaign season is enough to start rumors.

"I think people have kind of lost track of her but I think it's going to revive it again," said Rosa Veenstra, owner of Branches Christian store.

With Palin's movie debut in the books, the focus now shifts to whether she'll make a campaign debut in the 2012 presidential race.

Here's what we know -- absolutely nothing -- and that's just the way Palin likes it.

David Brody

CBN News Chief Political Correspondent

David Brody is an Emmy Award-winning veteran news journalist who has interviewed many prominent national figures during his career of nearly 25 years. Currently, David covers the White House and interviews national newsmakers across the country. Follow David on Twitter @TheBrodyFile and "like" him at Facebook.com/TheBrodyFile.